Changes

Dovalina had critics within the police department. A suit was filed against him in November 2006 by thirteen officers who alleged that the police leadership retaliated against them when the officers sent a letter to Mayor Salinas and city council members expressing concern about "the familial ties between the City Manager and Chief of Police."<ref name=riseandfall/>  

Dovalina had critics within the police department. A suit was filed against him in November 2006 by thirteen officers who alleged that the police leadership retaliated against them when the officers sent a letter to Mayor Salinas and city council members expressing concern about "the familial ties between the City Manager and Chief of Police."<ref name=riseandfall/>  

   

   

Flores' tenure as mayor (1998-2006) coincided with eight of Dovalina's eleven years as chief. She told the ''Laredo Morning Times'' that Dovalina had "made some bad decisions that he has admitted to, but I would hope that this community understands that his heart was protecting them and working for them."<ref>Ashley Richards, "The Rise and Fall of a Police Chief," ''Laredo Morning Times'', November 11, 2007, pp. 1, 14A.</ref> Flores noted that Dovalina did not claim personal credit for innovations to the department. She added that "the only thing that he didn't accomplish was getting the [[helicopter]] that we so desperately need." According to Flores, Dovalina "is a good man. I hope that's what he will be remembered for."<ref name=riseandfall/>  

Flores' tenure as mayor (1998-2006) coincided with eight of Dovalina's eleven years as chief. She told the ''Laredo Morning Times'' that Dovalina had "made some bad decisions that he has admitted to, but I would hope that this community understands that his heart was protecting them and working for them."<ref name=riseandfall/> Flores noted that Dovalina did not claim personal credit for innovations to the department. She added that "the only thing that he didn't accomplish was getting the [[helicopter]] that we so desperately need." According to Flores, Dovalina "is a good man. I hope that's what he will be remembered for."<ref name=riseandfall/>  

When Dovalina pleaded guilty to extortion, he emerged from court on what he termed "one of the darkest, saddest days" of his life. He apologized to his family, the police department, and community. Dovalina declined to be interviewed but asked that the media respect his family privacy.<ref name=riseandfall/> Numerous letters to the editor of the ''Laredo Morning Times'' at the time of his retirement and guilty plea were hostile to Dovalina.

When Dovalina pleaded guilty to extortion, he emerged from court on what he termed "one of the darkest, saddest days" of his life. He apologized to his family, the police department, and community. Dovalina declined to be interviewed but asked that the media respect his family privacy.<ref name=riseandfall/> Numerous letters to the editor of the ''Laredo Morning Times'' at the time of his retirement and guilty plea were hostile to Dovalina.